A + M Elope in Stunning Yosemite

A + M - A Stunning Fall Yosemite Elopement

Hands down – Yosemite National Park is just as stunning as all of my books and Instagram say it is. A + M were already up on game though because they’ve been going there since the beginning of their relationship. Stealing away weekends at a time to explore all through the year, A + M got to know the landscape intimately. Which is why it wasn’t a surprise that they chose Yosemite to celebrate their elopement.

eloping at bridalveil falls in yosemite national park

eloping at glacier point in yosemite national park

Getting Ready

If you haven’t been keeping up, A + M did an engagement shoot with me in Mammoth. We had adventures on frozen lakes and in wilderness hot springs. Today, A + M get ready separately, A at their hotel room at Tenaya at Yosemite and M at our Explorer Cabin adjacent to Tenaya. Their only “guests” are myself and their good friend, Nak who will officiate their ceremony. I take to helping A get ready with her hair stylist, makeup artist, and their lovely golden retriever, Ladybird. When I arrive, M’s writing on the window says it all, “I love Aissa.” And with a huge smile on his face, M leaves to join Nak at our cabin to get ready. Ladybird follows her mommy around, unfazed by the extra people in the room. She carelessly slinks away to the balcony where she lays out to sunbathe when A is settled in her seat for makeup (the audacity).

A lays out all of her wedding jewelry. Pearl baubles collected and set specifically for this moment from A + M’s first trip to the Philippines together, M’s first time in Asia. I finally get to photograph the tiny vases that A has been throwing in her pottery studio that will be guest favors for their Mexico destination wedding in December. The famous white, pearly Jimmy Choos make an appearance (obvs). When A’s ready to get dressed she shows me an easy way of unbuttoning bridal buttons, something I’m surprised I haven’t learned in my 14 years of weddings. She takes a bobby pin and makes easy work of unbuttoning her dress, something that would feel like hours without her handy tool.

Details

Being A’s only other guest, photographer, and her close friend, I have the honor of buttoning her up into her dress, putting her jewelry on and getting her all together before we leave. I’m in tears before I even hand the camera over to her hair stylist to snap a few of us. To be one of the only other people present for someone I have become so close to after what seems such a short while sends me. I’m so touched. When she’s ready, I leave to go photograph M and Nak.

As scheduled, the two are ready to go and waiting to put on M’s last details. Nak shines M’s bolo tie and straightens his collar. Mountain Man M is sporting his cowboy boots. A’s sure to be weak in the knees over her tall Montana mountain man.

First Look

Earlier in the day I found a creek where they’ll meet for the first time in their wedding attire. For months A and I obsessed over all of her details – the dress, the shoes, the veil – everything was chosen according to A’s style. Now, adorned in all of it, A’s on a quick stroll downhill to the creek to meet her man. M stands at the creek bed with his bride’s bouquet of flowers. He teeters on nervous and flustered. Nak ushers Ladybird to the creek adorned with her very own flower collar. A nervously approaches, calling out to her future husband, “Babu.” She places a hand on his arm and tells him how grateful she is to be here with him today. He turns around, the tears stream down his face as he grabs A, engulfing her in a big hug and a gentle kiss as if it’s been ages since they’ve seen each other.

Private Vows

Golden light showers the foliage, radiating it’s colors onto the creek and all its visitors. A gentle breeze begins shifting dry leaves, blowing them off their branches. The crispy leaves float to the forest floor, an inadvertent, “Oh my God” falls out of my mouth. Luckily the two are immersed in their vows and don’t hear a thing. The forest fairies were most definitely watching, setting the mood for these two while they read their vows.

Ceremony at Bridalveil Falls

Once they’ve completed their vows and a quick family shoot with Ladybird, we drop her back at the hotel and enter Yosemite National Park. We head to the falls where we’re greeted by other visitors who admire A + M and shower them in congratulations. The two choose a spot on the rocks. With the waterfall spritzing lightly into the valley they’re at no risk of getting wet. Nak delivers their ceremony quietly on the rocks. A small audience gathers below clapping as they descend from the rocky waterfall bed. A + M shake on it and make it official.

A Picnic at Glacier Point

We make our way up to Glacier Point. I send Nak up to set up their picnic at the spot we scouted the day before. For our behind the scenes adventures and more info on Yosemite tap here. A + M make a stop at the tunnel view where we stop for some shots. The road to Glacier Point is only 15+ miles but takes an hour to get up there. The valley is already in the shade but the top of Glacier Point features Half Dome in the glow of a pink sunset. We take a walk to meet with Nak. The setting is perfect, but maybe just a bit crowded. Behind me are lots of people taking in the sunset as well, but the two look like they’re all by themselves at the edge of the cliff. Their delicious strawberry crumble cake is unveiled and M gifts A with their cake toppers. Nak pours them champagne and they toast to the rest of their lives together.

The sun sets on their elopement day quickly, but they’re able to take in all the sights they planned for on their wedding day. As the stars make their appearance, we make our way down the mountain ready to get some rest from this beautifully hectic day.

Vendor Acknowledgements

A + M worked with so many vendors to make this moment super special and they are sharing them with you to spread the news so you can work with these talented human beings as well.

Lindsey Pence, Professional Hair Stylist
@lindseyinoakhurst

Melissa, Professional Makeup Artist
@melimelo_makeup

LadyBakes, Custom Cakes and Cheesecakes
@ladybakes818

Heidi Gibson Designs, Designer Jewelry designed A’s engagement ring
@heidigibsondesigns
heidigibson.com

Rooted Harmony designed A + M’s florals
@rootedharmony
rootedharmony.net

Cocomelody designed A’s dress
@cocomelodyofficial
cocomelody.com

A’s veil was purchased on Etsy
@etsy
etsy.com

Groom’s Grotto designed M’s suit
@groomsgrotto
www.thegrottomenswear.com

Yosemite Elopement Packages

Inclusions for every package:

Full Yosemite National Park Elopement Planning
Questionnaires
Vendor recommendations
Logistical planning
Permitting costs and application
Client portal access
Unlimited planning and access to your elopement team

Ceremony Services
Officiant services by Pop Andrini
Marriage license guidance
Personalized ceremony

Photography
From 8-16 hours of professional photography coverage by Mari Andrini
Drone footage (location and weather permitting)
Sneak peeks within 48 hours
All Light Preserves on a secure online gallery.

Price ranges from $6000-$11000

A + M enjoyed a colorful fall elopement, but all year long, you can have a a lovely elopement in Yosemite. Which season would you elope in Yosmite? If you think Yosemite would be the perfect location for your elopement, reach out below, we'd love to help you!